World · Malaysia Bureau
Khachanov advances to US Open semi-finals after Blockx retirement
World number 50 Karen Khachanov secured his place in the US Open semi-finals when opponent Blockx was forced to retire from their quarter-final match. The Russian player will now face either top seed Alexander Zverev or Botic van de Zandschulp in pursuit of a final berth.
LSN Malaysia ·
Khachanov's path to the semi-finals was eased when Blockx withdrew from their quarter-final encounter, allowing the 50th-ranked player to progress without completing the match. The unexpected retirement marked an anticlimactic end to a contest that would have determined one of the tournament's final four competitors.
With his advancement secured, Khachanov now prepares to take on a formidable opponent in the semi-final round. Should top seed Alexander Zverev emerge victorious in his own quarter-final, the Russian will face the German star. However, if Botic van de Zandschulp succeeds in his bid, Khachanov will instead meet the Dutch player for a spot in the championship match.
The 27-year-old Khachanov has demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, capitalising on his opportunity to reach the semi-finals. Despite holding a relatively modest world ranking, his presence in the latter stages of one of tennis's Grand Slam events underscores his competitive credentials on the sport's biggest stages.